Retiring in the SE???? (pension, beach, weather, moving)

[paxquest]

We want to relocate back SE, and are considering Bluffton, SC, Dutch Island (Savannah), GA, or Ponte Vedra, FL. While Jacksonville is quite a large town, I don't consider it too exciting as it lacks the cultural pulse I'd prefer. Bluffton seems to be a good location to enjoy both the beach and Hilton Head symphony, Savannah and still enjoy a relatively safe retirement. Dutch Island has quick access to Savannah hospitals. We don't golf or boat so want to be involved in other aspects of a community. We enjoy convivial friends, international perspectives and some nearby prospect of classical music and perhaps jazz entertainment, access to fresh seafood and hope to be able to have an organic vegetable garden. Prefer ocean to mountains and semi-tropical weather to 4 seasons so we've narrowed our search based on historical hurricane threat, cultural opportunities and affordable quality of life given that we won't have two homes.

RE taxes seem better in SC for full-time residents than in FL or GA, but FL has no state income tax and GA supposedly exempts up to $90k retirement income (not that we'll have any after the last six months.) Can someone who has lived in either NE FL, Hilton Head area or Savannah area share their perspective, please? I know FL property and car insurance is quite expensive and gas is higher, but any other thoughts on financial and other quality of life issues?

We've visited the areas, appreciate the current mantra is to rent first, but at our age we won't be able to move again so we need to be sure our new home will be a good fit. So, if given the option today, where would you move and why? Many thanks!

[knoxgarden]

I've always enjoyed visiting Savanah -- in the winter! It's a charming place with great people.
Just make sure you spend significant time in August there before moving. It is very hot and very humid. Summer will start in late March and continue through October.
It's also a long drive from there to any major city. Car insurance and personal property taxes seemed high in Georgia compared to Tennessee. I moved from there to TN.

[paxquest]

Thanks for your perspective. I know what you mean about the distance to other cities; Charleston is about the closest interesting town. Vibrant mega-cities offer great health care, museums, symphonies and theatre, but neither of us tolerates cold weather very well anymore and most of the best cities are in 4 seasons climate. Yes, Savannah summers will be long and very humid, but the town seems charming. While I prefer the cultural life of big cities like Chicago, the perfect weather of San Diego and a more reasonable cost of living for retirement, I just can't seem to find such a utopia in this country. So given that most of us have to make compromises, that area of GA/SC is under serious consideration. (BTW, I know you're a big fan of the Knoxville area, but unfortunately it's just too far from the ocean for me.)

[staywarm2]

Originally Posted by paxquest

We want to relocate back SE, and are considering Bluffton, SC, Dutch Island (Savannah), GA, or Ponte Vedra, FL. While Jacksonville is quite a large town, I don't consider it too exciting as it lacks the cultural pulse I'd prefer. Bluffton seems to be a good location to enjoy both the beach and Hilton Head symphony, Savannah and still enjoy a relatively safe retirement. Dutch Island has quick access to Savannah hospitals. We don't golf or boat so want to be involved in other aspects of a community. We enjoy convivial friends, international perspectives and some nearby prospect of classical music and perhaps jazz entertainment, access to fresh seafood and hope to be able to have an organic vegetable garden. Prefer ocean to mountains and semi-tropical weather to 4 seasons so we've narrowed our search based on historical hurricane threat, cultural opportunities and affordable quality of life given that we won't have two homes.

RE taxes seem better in SC for full-time residents than in FL or GA, but FL has no state income tax and GA supposedly exempts up to $90k retirement income (not that we'll have any after the last six months.) Can someone who has lived in either NE FL, Hilton Head area or Savannah area share their perspective, please? I know FL property and car insurance is quite expensive and gas is higher, but any other thoughts on financial and other quality of life issues?

We've visited the areas, appreciate the current mantra is to rent first, but at our age we won't be able to move again so we need to be sure our new home will be a good fit. So, if given the option today, where would you move and why? Many thanks!

GA exempts Soc. Sec. income and up to $30,000 of pension and investment income, plus up to $4,000 of earned income. Never heard that $90,000 figure.

TN has no state tax, but very high sales tax--9%+ in Nashville. TN taxes food at 6%. GA exempts food and prescription drugs.

Go to RETIREMENT LIVING INFORMATION CENTER - Retirement Communities and senior lifestyle data for taxes listed by state. Very good website.

FWIW, I've heard that unless your greatgrandmother was born in Savannah, forget about fitting in.

Just be sure to check that you can actually buy hurricane insurance if you live close to the beach. The cost can be prohibitive in some places. FL has property taxes that are quite high (unless you're from the NE).

Good luck! Hope you make a happy choice.

[knoxgarden]

Might also want to take a look at Beaufort, SC and Georgetown, SC. Georgetown is a pretty place, near Pawley Island as well as Charleston and Myrtle Beach.

[MINNIEMEME]

Maybe you can try saint austine fl world golf village. It's a bit away from jacksonville but not far from the beach i agree we look at bluffton but to far from a major city i need to be near a big city